Adams County Reviews Indigent Death Policy

The Adams County Board is reviewing its indigent death policy.
Adams County Coroner Jim Keller faces continued criticism for the current policy. If a deceased person’s family can’t afford burial costs that costs the county a thousand dollars. Current policy states that when a person is declared indigent, loved ones must sign rights to the remains over to the county. Illinois Comptroller Suzanna Mendoza denounced the practice this week saying there is state money available to help cover those costs. No money was made available by the state during the 2016 budget crisis and county officials say the state has been slow in paying.